Immigration Dept raided 23 target locations on anti-illegal worker operations

In a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, the Immigration Department raided 23 target locations for four consecutive days (March 6-).

 Eight suspected illegal workers and four suspected employers were arrested during the anti-illegal worker operations of ImmD Task Force officers at target locations including an industrial building, premises under renovation, residential buildings, restaurants, a retail store and a wet market.

 The arrested suspected illegal workers were two men and six women, aged 28 to 53, while three men and one woman, aged 35 to 64, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers were also arrested.

Among suspected illegal workers, one woman was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. In addition, one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card.

Furthermore, two operations of Police enforcement officers were mounted. In one operation, they raided 13 target locations in the Central district, including a construction site and restaurants. Three suspected illegal workers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers were three women aged 24 to 40. In another Police anti-illegal operation, two Mainland visitors, a man and a woman, aged 23 and 44, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at San Wan Road and Ka Fu Close in Sheung Shui district. The goods included skincare products, cosmetics products, health products and food.

 An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who violates a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”